The Plant Health Department has raised the alert over the Citrus Longhorn Beetle (Anoplophora cinensis) a damaging quarantine pest which has not been reported in Malta but has established a presence in Italy.

It said it was monitoring for any signs of this beetle, so that if it was introduced in Malta, necessary action would be taken immediately."

The natural range of the beetle includes China, Japan and other countries in South East Asia. But it has been moving around the world on ornamental trees imported from Asia.

"They are a threat to horticulture, forestry and also to citrus production in the Mediterranean. Worth mentioning is the outbreak of the beetle that occurred in Lombardia, Italy. Eradication measures have included the destruction of hundreds of mature trees," the department said.

Adults of the Citrus Longhorned beetle are large (21–37 mm long) and black with variable white markings. Their antennae are longer than their bodies and are black with white/light blue bands. These beetles spend most of their life (ranging from one to two years, in Asia), as larvae inside a trunk or root, and hence there can be little or no sign of their presence to anyone inspecting a host tree.

The most obvious symptoms of the damage caused by these insects are exit holes which are typically 6–11 mm in diameter and are generally found towards the base of trunks.

The department said anyone suspecting the presence of the pest should report on 25904312 or 23397222/3. Further details on the biology and symptoms of this insect can be found on www.planthealth.gov.mt